How to Build Your Restaurant Email Database

If your restaurant isn’t already collecting the email addresses of your customers, it’s time to start now. When you have your customers’ emails, it allows you to keep in touch with them even after they’ve left your restaurant. You can send them exclusive coupons or promotions, event details, and more. It’s a great way to not only stay connected, but to build customer loyalty for your business. Now that you know the benefits of having an email database for your restaurant, here’s how to get those email addresses…

1. Fishbowl Method

One simple way to snag the email addresses of your customers is through the classic fishbowl method. How it works is that you ask your customers to drop their business cards in a bowl when they stop by to dine at your restaurant. Those business cards will provide you with all the important information you need: name and email address.

It’s a good idea to provide an incentive to get people to leave their business cards with you. You can do a weekly or monthly drawing where you select one business card from the bowl. That person can receive a free meal, a discount, or something else of your choosing!

2. Online Ordering

Not only is online ordering convenient for both you and your customer, but it’s also one way that guarantees you’ll get their information with every order. Customers are typically required to enter their email address during the order process. If you use an online ordering tool that provides you with each customer’s information, you will receive their name and email, among other information, when you receive their order.

3. Hold a Giveaway

Giveaways are a fantastic way to get your customers excited about your business. They’re also a great way to obtain that vital information from your diners: their email address. All you need to do is select a prize they would be interested in and start advertising your giveaway. It’s also wise to make entering in the giveaway incredibly easy for your customers. And since you’re trying to obtain their email address, make providing their name and email the way to enter. It’s so easy that they won’t have a reason not to enter your giveaway.

4. Add an Opt-In Form to Your Website

Don’t forget to add an opt-in form to your website to encourage people to join your email list. First, you want to make sure it’s in a good location so they don’t miss it when they visit your site. However, keep in mind that people aren’t always so quick to hand over their email addresses these days. You need to provide some sort of incentive that will make them want to give you their information.

Offer customers a coupon to your restaurant. Not only will this help you obtain their information, but also it’s a great way to get them to dine with you. All you need to do is set up an automated email that gets sent to subscribers as soon as they join your list.